ART SOCIETY: At the October meeting, members and guests were treated to a masterclass in painting portraits in oils, by Rob Waring, a South African artist with an international reputation. Members were shown copies of many of his portraits of heads of
FIREWORK PARTY: Harvington First School's PTFA members were delighted with the success of the firework party last Friday at the village playing field when, blessed with fine weather, the event attracted many families and friends. The sale of hot food
WEDNESDAY CLUB: Members met on November 2 when Mrs M Boath presided. Birthday cards were distributed. The evening drive was enjoyed by all with a lovely supper at Three Horseshoes, Wixford. The Christmas shopping trip to Cribbs Causeway takes place on
BONFIRE CELEBRATIONS: Residents and visitors as far away as Worcester and Hereford attended the local bonfire 400th celebrations. Fifteen minutes of non-stop fireworks, some of which were sponsored by local companies, enthralled a crowd of more than 1,500
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION WOMEN'S SECTION: A coffee morning raised £257 for the poppy fund. It was held at Pershore Royal Naval Association headquarters, it was well attended by members and friends including Mrs June Wildman, county chairman. At the November
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION WOMEN'S SECTION: Held their AGM in the Betteridge Room. After the business and election of officers Mrs Barbara Duckett, county treasurer, was welcomed to the meeting and congratulated the branch members of their efficiency of running
I SEEM to feel a continual sense of local hospitals fighting for survival. I, therefore, read with some bemusement, that this sense comes at a time when Blair tells us that record levels of our money is being invested in the NHS? We hear nothing else
TV and film favourites, Rosemary Leach and Francis Matthews will be on stage at Malvern Theatres next week in William Douglas Home's sparkling comedy, The Kingfisher. The Kingfisher, written by William Douglas Home, brother of the former Prime Minister
Hereford Concert Society welcomes the outstanding violinist Amir Bisengaliev from Kazakhstan to play at Hereford Courtyard on Sunday. Now living in Britain, Amir launched himself on an unsuspecting world in Symphony Hall, Birmingham in 2003 and has never
RANI Moorthy's one-woman show Pooja, which comes to the Everyman at Cheltenham next week is both multi-cultural and multi-media. It also shows off the multitude of talents which have won acclaim for the show both in Britain and abroad. Pooja combines
LITTLE Wolford Village Hall near Shipston has joined the Live & Local network and will be producing their first show on Thursday, November 10. Travelling By Tuba, which features an array of weird and wonderful musical instruments, begins at 7.30pm
Huntingdon Hall is gearing up to welcome one of the biggest musical legends ever to grace the city centre stage. Blues man Van Morrison has just confirmed he is to play two shows at the intimate 350-seater venue on Sunday, December 11 in an unusual departure
THE new leader of the Country Land and Business Association, David Fursdon, has set out his objectives for the term of his two-year presidency. "I want to look forward to the next 100 years of land ownership and to raise awareness of the invaluable contribution
NAIGHT CLUB: The Naight Club will be holding their Christmas bazaar on Wednesday, November 16 at the British Legion Hall, Lansdown Road, from 10am to noon. They will be selling the crafts they have manufactured during the past year and there will be a
THE Rose Theatre audience was taken back to the 1970s for a very entertaining production of Mike Leigh's popular play. Abigail's Party featured a cast of five from the Nonentities, directed by Do Evans, and was set in the home of married couple Beverley
Steven Berkoff may not be gracing Ludlow Festival with his presence next year, but the 68-year-old actor/director is back in town this month with his touring one-man-show, Shakespeare's Villains - A Masterclass in Evil. Brought up in Luton and a shy,
MUSICIANS from the Birmingham Conservatoire will be performing in their fourth annual recital at Kidderminster Library on Friday, November 19. Pianist, John Humphreys and the Nero String Quartet will play at the concert, which has been organised by the
HEREFORD Museum and Art Gallery plays host to two distinctive exhibitions from Saturday; one featuring the best of contemporary British illustration, the other celebrating the fun of creative recycling. Images 29, an exhibition of contemporary British
PUNK legend Billy Idol - best known for hit 1980s songs White Wedding and Rebel Yell - is bringing his Devil's Playground world tour to Wolverhampton's Civic Hall on Tuesday. Earlier in the year Idol played a well-received show - his first UK concert
I LIKE thousands of other residents of the Cotswolds are appalled at Nick Brown's proposals to scatter wind turbines all over the Cotswold, not to save the World but for financial gain for his company Greenamps. At public meetings he has tried to persuade
WE the undersigned, members of Evesham and District Trade Justice Group, want to remind Journal readers that the campaign to Make Poverty History is still going on. At their July meeting in Edinburgh the rich countries made little progress. They still
VALE pensioners are being urged to keep warm and safe now the nights are drawing in. Forecasters are predicting the worst winter since the great freeze of 1962-63 when thousands of pensioners froze to death. Members of Age Concern are busy visiting elderly
THE motorist who died after his red Citroen Xsara Picasso left the A38 at Droitwich has now been named. He was Brian Peckham, a 62-year-old retired mechanical and electrical engineer, of Meadow Place, the Westlands, in Droitwich. The accident happened
AN underground chamber, thought to be a Victorian icehouse, has been discovered during work on a new car park at the Bishop's Palace in Hereford. The ground opened up in front of the builders' digger, revealing a chamber with dry stone walls and an arched
A PLAQUE celebrating the life and work of a founding member of the Droitwich Canals Trust has been unveiled. Nick Quarterly Grazebrook was a leading light and vital force when the trust was first set up in 1973. On Sunday, family, friends and colleagues
A DROITWICH family narrowly escaped serious injury when a firework rocket exploded in their bedroom after being deliberately launched next to their home. Fiona, Colin, and six-week-old Miranda Addy, were woken by the sound of fireworks outside their St
FREE unrestricted travel for people over 60 in Tenbury and the Teme Valley will be available from next year thanks to a Worcester-shire County Council scheme. By law, free travel comes into force for the over 60s from next year, but with restrictions
BROADWATERS residents say a road sign on Kidderminster's Stourbridge Road is confusing visitors to the town. Tony Whittenbury, of Kendlewood Road, believes the signpost, which is located on the approach to the town centre, before the right-hand turning
Wyre Forest education review RESIDENTS living in Broadwaters and Horsefair are being asked for their views on how the site of a middle school can best serve the community after it closes. Sladen CE Middle School in Hurcott Road, Kidderminster will be
BRINTONS' own magnificent seven rode into town to pick up mementoes marking their 40 years of service each producing one of the firm's most popular carpets. Company chiefs marked the 40th anniversary of the Bell Twist range by presenting decanters, port
MORE than 2,500 customers of Yorkshire Bank in Kidderminster will have to transact their business through Redditch from early next year when their local branch closes. The Coventry Street branch's closure - on February 7 - will mean the loss of seven
A FURNITURE and electrical items recycling project in Kidderminster has given offenders good practical community service experience, according to a report on West Mercia Probation Area. The inspection report focused on supervision of offenders and said
THE force policing Wyre Forest has been ranked among the best performing in England and Wales, according to a new joint report. Factors contributing to the accolade for West Mercia Constabulary included excellent crime investigation and enthusiastic leadership
TWO paramedics who have dealt with life and death on Wyre Forest's roads for more than 20 years, have two pieces of advice for drivers - cut your speed and concentrate when you are behind the wheel. Kidderminster-based Adrian Ball and Dave Willetts, who
ART SOCIETY: At the October meeting, members and guests were treated to a masterclass in painting portraits in oils, by Rob Waring, a South African artist with an international reputation. Members were shown copies of many of his portraits of heads of
FIREWORK PARTY: Harvington First School's PTFA members were delighted with the success of the firework party last Friday at the village playing field when, blessed with fine weather, the event attracted many families and friends. The sale of hot food
WEDNESDAY CLUB: Members met on November 2 when Mrs M Boath presided. Birthday cards were distributed. The evening drive was enjoyed by all with a lovely supper at Three Horseshoes, Wixford. The Christmas shopping trip to Cribbs Causeway takes place on
BONFIRE CELEBRATIONS: Residents and visitors as far away as Worcester and Hereford attended the local bonfire 400th celebrations. Fifteen minutes of non-stop fireworks, some of which were sponsored by local companies, enthralled a crowd of more than 1,500
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION WOMEN'S SECTION: A coffee morning raised £257 for the poppy fund. It was held at Pershore Royal Naval Association headquarters, it was well attended by members and friends including Mrs June Wildman, county chairman. At the November
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION WOMEN'S SECTION: Held their AGM in the Betteridge Room. After the business and election of officers Mrs Barbara Duckett, county treasurer, was welcomed to the meeting and congratulated the branch members of their efficiency of running
I SEEM to feel a continual sense of local hospitals fighting for survival. I, therefore, read with some bemusement, that this sense comes at a time when Blair tells us that record levels of our money is being invested in the NHS? We hear nothing else
THERE was a time when a key element of British justice was the public shaming of miscreants. Wrongdoers and ne'er-do-wells could be seen languishing in the stocks or lambasted on the pillory, as people exacted their very public revenge. These days, of
THE Salford Players will be going back in time when they put on a show at Long Compton Village Hall later this month. They are presenting a 1930s show, in aid of village hall funds, and the £12 ticket includes a two-course meal and a drink. The show is
EVESHAM'S professional theatre company is about to set off on its second tour with a new comedy-drama based on a true story. Mompesson's Well, by Simon Andrew Stirling, is about a man who has lost his memory - but the condition may hide some very dark
KICKBOXING sensation Shaun Bradley was in the form of his life to grab gold at European Champi-onships in Derby. The 16-year-old conquered a high quality field of competitors to return from the event in Allenton with the top prize. Bradley was competing
STOURPORT'S Riverside Meadows is hosting the monthly farmers' market on Sunday, with a range of produce on offer. Visitors will also have the chance to purchase Fairtrade gifts at the event, which runs from 9am until 3pm. Representatives from Stourport
STOURPORT property tycoon, Neil Grinnall, has called in the receivers after running up what are believed to be millions of pounds of debts. The former oil rig worker has called receivers, Moore Stephens, into Neil Grinnall Properties Ltd and Neil Grinnall
MEMBERS of Amazing Feet Running club took part in the UK Athletics Challenge at Sennelleys Park, Birmingham, which was the first race in the 2005/6 cross country season. Unlike other races in the league, all divisions take part in the opening event, creating
PETE Banham, Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club junior, rode to victory in round six of the West Midlands Cyclo Cross League, at Misterton Hall, Lutterworth. Banham pulled away from the rest of the field to finish fastest junior, and second overall in the
A STOURPORT regeneration group is aiming to boost projects in the town by handing out cash grants through its Community Chest initiative. A share of £23,000 is being offered to schemes aiming to improve the quality of life of people in the town. Single
KIDDERMINSTER Cobras could take plenty of positives from a narrow 71-70 defeat to Wolverhampton after their brave fight-back fell just short. With Wolves one of the tips for the title, Cobras did well to run them so close and can go into their next clash
CLEOBURY Mortimer Ladies lost out to undefeated Leeds at home on Sunday in what unexpectedly turned into a five set thriller in Division Two of the National Volleyball League. In a topsy turvy clash the lead changed hands several times, but ultimately
COOKLEY will be hoping to stump up money for a new artificial wicket when they stage a fund-raising casino night. The event, which takes place from 8pm tomorrow (Friday), will be held at the Eagle and Spur pub, in Castle Road, in the village. Cookley
A TRUCK driver forced an iron bar through the open window of a car before striking the driver in the face. Police are seeking witnesses to the assault, which happened on Bewdley Hill, Kidderminster on Wednesday last week, at about 8am. The victim, a Birmingham
A MAN who ordered toys and other items from a novelty company paid for them with cheques which bounced, Worcester Crown Court heard. Craig Shell, 18, of Hurcott Road, Kidderminster, was given an 18-month community rehabilitation order after pleading guilty
BEWDLEY'S internationally renowned angler, Des Taylor, was part of a select band of 15 top anglers invited to sample the first night fishing session at a Shropshire fishery. Following a gale-lashed night, Taylor latched onto a 21lb mirror carp at dawn
A TOOL hire assistant stole from his Kidderminster employer and used a friend's credit card without permission, Hereford Crown Court was told. Richard Moreton, of Stourport, pleaded guilty to stealing equipment valued at £2,875 from Express Tool Hire,
Wednesday Open: Andy Williams (Telford) 73-4 (Ash, pellets, 5m, carp 1lb to 8lb), Nick Williams (Telford) 54-2 (Ash, paste and pellet, 5m, carp to 7lb), Gerry Morris (OB Wolves) 50-14 (Beech 16). Thursday Open: Colin Reynolds (Bilston B&T) 109-1 (
Staffordshire/Worcestershire Canal, Caunsall: P Knowles 4-8, M Tremless 3-12, K Woodhead 3-6. The next match will be on Sunday, November 20 on the Wrens Nest pools, draw at 8am. Top 10 aggregates with two matches remaining: E McKeown 460, J Moon 419,
PEOPLE who keep Wyre Forest streets clean, look after our children and elderly, provide school meals, look after the vulnerable and keep our neighbourhoods safe, are now being told, after years of service, that their pensions may be cut. The Local Government
STOURPORT Swifts might be enduring a stormy season - but the Walshes Meadow club insist the future is bright thanks to their newly-formed youth set-up. Swifts are languising near the bottom of the Southern Football League Western Division after a difficult
Haye Farm: Mark Pearce 41-0, Carl Carter 40-8 (bonus peg), Stuart Campbell 29-5. There will be a contest at Furnace Mill on Sunday. Those taking part should meet at the venue at 8am.
BEWDLEY Town boss Craig Payton believes his West Midlands League Premier Division team have set the standard for the rest of the season after blasting in 11 goals in two games. Payton's men followed up a convincing 5-0 midweek victory over Dudley Town
Droitwich Canal: Stan James 3-8 (perch with pole and maggot), Mick Scott 1-8, Clive James 0-7. Sunday's match has been moved to the Droitwich Canal, with the draw at 9am. The next meeting will be at HQ on Monday. Members are asked to book their Fur and
Great Witley: Paul Waters 54-0, Steve Phillips 45-8, Harry Dubjiek 42-12. Ten anglers weighed in a total of 261lb).
I WOULD like to respond to B Nock's comments on last week's Letters Page regarding the continental market in Kidderminster. I have, for many years, visited markets in France and the prices are usually a little cheaper than when the markets are here. Your
WITH all the mention in the media regarding loss of bus routes and big companies withdrawing services they say are uneconomical, has anyone ever thought of asking the smaller operators if they can help? Within Wyre Forest, there are a number of small
A NEW railway crossing for disabled people at Evesham station is on track for spring next year. The £95,000 project which includes a pathway, ramp and rest areas is due to be completed before Friday, March 31 according to Worcestershire County Council's
JOSH Anstey was Wyre Forest Brintons's Under-10s scoring sensation on Saturday in the Stourport and District Youth Football League. He grabbed all three goals in the team's 3-0 success over Droitwich Stags. Michael Eke was another hat-trick hero, helping
AN independent inspector has given Wychavon District Council's Local Plan Review the thumbs up. The news follows a public inquiry which ended in December last year. It dealt with issues including developing the district's three towns; housing land supply
CHURCHGOERS from the Vale were forced to lobby Mid Worcestershire MP Peter Luff in the rain outside the Houses of Parliament last week because security arrangements could not cope with the sheer numbers. A delegation from Evesham churches voiced their
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers stay second in the West Midlands Premier League after beating Solihull 3-1. Tiffany O'Brien, Lisa Stokes and Emma Bowdler scored. Harriers Reserves were in seventh heaven after a 7-3 win over Evesham in the Worcestershire County
THE inquest into the death of a property lawyer who died when his Jaguar car was in collision with a van, was opened last week. Paramedics pronounced 58-year-old John Atkinson dead at the scene of the accident on the A422 at Upton Snodsbury, on Wednesday
CLEOBURY Mort-imer re-wrote the club's record book by storming into round four of the Powergen Junior Vase for the first time in their history with a 34-0 win over Trinity Guild. The furthest the Love Lane men have progressed in the competition before
CHAIRMAN Barry Norgrove has insisted money will be made available for permanent signings later this season - but admitted that Harriers must look to the loan market for reinforcements for the time being. Harriers are desperately short of numbers with
HARRIERS have included exciting new loan striker Marc Pugh in their squad for Saturday's trip to Stevenage after signing him from Burnley for a month. The 18-year-old striker - who has scored 16 times in 12 games - comes highly recommended by ex-Harrier
WORCESTER Warriors have sign-ed former Leinster hooker Gavin Hickie. Twenty-five year old Hickie, who made appearances for Leinster in both the Heineken Cup and Celtic League, has signed at Sixways until the end of the season. Worcester's director of
SPORT in Worcester has thrived over the past decade and with London staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 there is ample opportunity for youngsters in the area to become involved with the biggest sporting occasion on earth. Last week's National
EVESHAM are still seeking their first victory of the season after a 4-0 defeat at county rivals Kidderminster. They are bottom of the Coaching Solution West Midlands Premier Division. Boss Martin Husbands conceded: "We're in a period of transition at
ROS Freeman made flower-arrangements using leaves and flowers, from ferns to roses, at the October 19 meeting. While creating she entertained with anecdotes about her life and travels around the world, including her visits to Jamaica. She gave members
FLOWER arranged Margaret Packer entertained at the October meeting, using a selection of foliage and flowers from her own garden. She demonstrated colourful arrangements and a hand-held bouquet, donating all her creations for raffle. For information about
JEANNE Round gave a report of the Leys Group meeting held at Franche. Cookley won the competition with a garden planted in a feed tray. On October 17, four members teamed up to compete in The Friends of St Peter's Church quiz held at Cookley Sports and
ON October 24 David McGuire judged the first round of the club's league competition. Meetings are held at 8pm every Monday at Baxter Church hall, Bull Ring, Kidderminster. Any photography enthusiast will be welcome. For further details telephone 01562
RANI Moorthy's one-woman show Pooja, which comes to the Everyman at Cheltenham next week is both multi-cultural and multi-media. It also shows off the multitude of talents which have won acclaim for the show both in Britain and abroad. Pooja combines
CHRIS Pickford, consultant archivist to the Carpet Museum Trust Carpet Archives Centre Project, will give a talk on "Kidderminster for Carpets - archives for memory", on Monday. The Carpet Museum Trust received a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund in
THERE will be two rides on Sunday, both leaving from The Green, Blakebrook, Kidderminster at 9am, and heading for Welland village hall for the annual meeting of the district association. Light refreshments will be available at Welland, but riders should
TOMORROW at 7.30pm at Holy Innocents community hall, Kidderminster, a team of presenters will play recorded music appropriate to the date, Remembrance Day, some also reminiscing of their wartime experiences. Organised and hosted by Bob Polfreman, this
ON November 2, there was a talk on The Woodland Trust. Founded 34 years ago by Kenneth Watkins, the trust employs around 200 people and has more than 85,000 members, with 1,000 plus woods to maintain. The members plant around half a million trees each
AT the annual dive show at the NEC, members gave advice and information to anyone interested in learning to dive. The event provided an opportunity to view exotic dive sites around the world, and the latest developments in equipment, while also catching
THE next walk for the Wyre Forest group will be on Sunday, and this will be a 2.5-mile family walk at Saltwells Wood. Walkers will leave New Road car park, Kidderminster at 2pm. For details telephone the walk leaders on 01562 745048.
A WALK of around eight miles, a Martley, has been organised for Sunday. Ramblers are asked to meet at the Memorial Park gates, Park Avenue, Stourport at 10am. Transport can be arranged. New walkers will be made welcome. For details call 01562 631448 between
ROCK legend, Robert Plant, took time out from his world tour to get behind the controls of a mechanical digger to start the building of the new Scout facilities made possible by Operation Covert. The frontman of legendary band, Led Zeppelin, took centre
THE Wyre Forest Heart Support group's next meeting is at the Ramada Hotel and Resort, Habberley Road, Bewdley, on Monday at 7.30pm. Brian Draper will give a talk on the Severn Way footpath.
THIS is a new club for the north Worcestershire area, which recognises the need to appeal to young members with busy lifestyles. The club is "moving with the times", while maintaining true Rotary spirit of service and fellowship. A fund-raising music
THE Wyre Forest and District Group held its annual dinner at The Granary, Shenstone, on the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. The dinner was a fund-raising event in support of the Trust's Neptune Coastline campaign, launched in 1965. Now more
SURVIVAL skills was the theme of the latest Wyre Forest Young Rangers event, set in Hurcott Pool and Woods Nature Reserve. After being split into three teams - the Bubsters (Connor Allen, Elise Hinks, Hannah Blake and Charlie Bird), the Squad (Oliver
WYCHAVON District Council has introduced a new vehicle to the streets in a bid to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. The specialised vehicle fitted with a vacuum is travelling round towns collecting fallen leaves which are then taken to the
AN annual fund-raising event run by a Bewdley woman marks its 21st anniversary this year, having generated £45,000 in total for the Save the Children Fund. Cate Gillespie has organised her latest coffee morning and lunch for next Thursday at Cremyll Cottage
BUSY SVR staff at Bewdley are looking out for an annual mystery booking form while sorting through the sackloads of bookings which are already arriving for the Santa Steam Specials. The bizarre form has been sent with a "Coventry and Warwick" postmark
AN 85-year-old Bewdley man who climbed the 3,500ft peak, Snowdon, has raised £1,561 to help the elderly. The money will go towards rebuilding the kitchen at Callow Hill Methodist Church, where pensioners from 20 churches attend a monthly lunch club. Allen
AN 87-year-old who has been running fund-raising bingo since the 1950s and has raised £60,000 for the air ambulance, has been nominated as a Pride In Worcestershire candidate. A lady who goes to his bingo and raffle evenings, held twice weekly at Malvern
THE Rose Theatre audience was taken back to the 1970s for a very entertaining production of Mike Leigh's popular play. Abigail's Party featured a cast of five from the Nonentities, directed by Do Evans, and was set in the home of married couple Beverley
POPULAR actress Stephanie Cole proved a splendid Mrs Malaprop in this delightful play exploring life among the "upper classes" in 18th century Bath. Her many malapropisms in the play were superbly delivered and I sometimes found myself missing one because
CHIEFS of Wyre Forest Primary Care Trust have described a slump in the organisation's star rating as one of the disappointments of the past year of operation. In the PCT's annual report, chairman, David Priestnall and acting chief executive, Eamonn Kelly
VILLAGERS are hoping that Christmas will come early this year - courtesy of an electricity distribution company. New regulations had forced Bidford's Christmas lights committee to blow all their funds on upgrading the electricity system. More than £5,000
Put away your gipsy skirts and baggy jumpers - you'll be showing off your curves in the cold months ahead GRIM winter weather compels us to wrap up warm and hide under comforting baggy layers. But forget slouchy jumpers, because this season the fashion
IT'S been a great few days for Worcester Warriors and for me personally! The victory over Leicester last Friday night was awesome. It was a great result for us. I thought the guys really fronted up right through the team and it was tremendous to watch
THEATRE and film producer Kim Davies is on call 24 hours a day and will do absolutely anything to bring a project to fruition - including stripping naked! Kim's unorthodox approach came after an actress suffered from a bout of shyness and refused to do
AN amateur theatrical group will be staging a popular pantomime to raise money for Kemp Hospice. The Summerfield Amateur Showstoppers will be performing in Mother Goose at the Chain Wire Club, Oldington. Current and former workers at rocket motor makers
SIR - It's a strange world with people having preconceived views about certain things. For instance, a contributor to this page in the past has called for vandals and arsonists to be severely punished. He has also called for education reform in regard
A female student at Pershore College was sexually molested three times after last year's Christmas ball, a jury heard. She claimed Liam Booles first put his hand up her skirt as they sat on a sofa together in an accommodation block. When she left after
SIR - The mystery pub (Worcester News, October 25) is the Wheelbarrow and Castle, Radford, near Inkberrow. In the early 1930s the landlord was Alf Ewins. The man with the pony - Jack - is nearest the door, sat in the trap. Bill Tredwell the blacksmith
SIR - I am writing in response to the story ("What a waste, Saturday, October 29) regarding the vandalism at the Brum recreation ground in Fernhill Heath. I have lived in Fernhill Heath for 12 years now, in a house that looks on to the Brum itself. For
SIR - During the recent half term school holidays, my wife and I took our two grandchildren to a local cinema. As was expected, the cinema was full, mostly with young children accompanied by adults. On leaving from the top row of seats, we were appalled
SIR - It's horrible news about the impending end of The Plough, one of Worcester's last free houses and last "real" pubs. It's also one of Worcester's oldest buildings. I have spent my entire adult life drinking in The Plough, and things just haven't
SIR - John Phillpott says don't waste our cash on rubbish (Seven Days, Saturday, October 29). I could not agree more with him. On one hand, the city council says it can no longer afford to collect our domestic refuse once a week, and on the other, they
ARTIST Richard Kenton Webb is exhibiting a series of 44 paintings concerned with finding a grammar of colour at the University of Gloucestershire Chapel from October 24 to November 18. Richard moved to Gloucestershire in 1986 to take up a year's painting
PUPILS from a primary school in Bidford have worked hard over the last month to ensure children less fortunate than themselves will receive Christmas presents this year. Teachers and pupils from Bidford First School have taken part in the Christmas Child
A KIDDERMINSTER councillor furious about overgrown foliage obscuring street name signs has taken matters - and shears - into his own hands. Mike Oborski cut back overhanging branches, believing they had become a potential menace to drivers. On Sunday,
A FUND-raising concert will be held in aid of a Kidderminster church on Saturday. The event, which will be held at St George's Church, will start at 7.30pm and will feature performances from the Jackfield Elcock Reisen Band, singer/songwriter, Christopher
THE time of a tea dance being held at Kidderminster Town Hall next Thursday has changed. It begins at 2pm and goes on until 4.30pm - not 7.30pm, as previously advertised. Anyone attending is welcome to wear 1940s style clothing, as the theme of the event
WYRE Forest's Polish community are gathering on Sunday to celebrate their nation's Independence Day. They are meeting at the Polish Ex-Serviceman's Club in Kidderminster's St George's Terrace to watch the film A Jednak Polska - And Yet Poland. The film
THE secretary to bosses of a Kidderminster carpet firm has taken her final note and retired after 51 years with the company. Doreen Davies, 66, worked for three generations of the Adam family, at Adam Carpets, based in Birmingham Road. She was just under
HARD-pressed Wyre Forest taxi drivers have been forced to put up their fares by 10p a mile in the wake of soaring fuel prices. It is the first increase in almost three years and takes the cost of riding in a taxi from £1.10 a mile to £1.20, on top of
RESIDENTS of Wyre Forest have been given more time to have their say on Worcestershire's transport strategy for the next five years. Worcestershire County Council has extended the consultation period on the second Local Transport Plan for 2006-11 to ensure
THE Chief Constable of West Mercia Constabulary has resigned himself to change within his force with the Government planning a shake-up in the way policing is structured. Options which could see force mergers are to be considered by Home Secretary, Charles
A CHARITY providing information to people with disabilities has been given a £3,000 cash boost. The Disability Information and Advice Line - DIAL - covering North Worcestershire, including Wyre Forest, announced the news during its annual meeting in Kidderminster
A KIND-HEARTED villager who works tirelessly for his community has been nominated for the Worcester News's Pride in Worcestershire Campaign. Nils Wilkes, of Eckington, near Pershore, spends hours each week keeping the village war memorials immaculate.
BLOOD donors are being asked to give during new sessions. These are being held at Trinity Methodist Church, Church-fields, Kidderminster on Friday, November 18. Session times are 1pm until 3.15pm and from 4.30pm until 7pm.
I'M twenty-six and a Grumpy Old Woman. I know this because Jenny Eclair, Linda Robson and Dillie Keane touched that funny bone of recognition - and not just with me- resulting in a standing ovation from the largely female audience. Indeed, I was a little
A MAN who lives and breathes exotic plants has been nominated for a Pride in Worcestershire certificate for nurturing splashes of South African colour in his greenhouse. Martin Smith is such a successful grower of proteas (also spelled protias), a plant
A SCRIPTWRITER who was born and brought up in Kidderminster is publishing a book about his days at King Charles 1 High School. Michael Hale, who now lives in Folkestone in Kent, has written Blazered in Blue, which he describes as a schoolboy's eye view
AN amateur theatrical group will be staging a popular pantomime to raise money for Kemp Hospice. The Summerfield Amateur Showstoppers will be performing in Mother Goose at the Chain Wire Club, Oldington. Current and former workers at rocket motor makers
Fire strike talks TALKS between the Fire Brigades Union and fire authority officials resumed today to try to avert a strike planned for next week. The discussions at West Midlands Fire Service's headquarters in Birmingham were adjourned on Tuesday after
A NETWORKING opportunity for managers and business owners to entertain customers has helped raise cash for Worcester Cathedral. Supper After Business generated funds for a £5m fund-raising campaign to develop and sustain voices and music in the Cathedral
TWO businesses in the area have made it into the prestigious Les Routiers British Pubs and Inns Guide, due out this autumn. The businesses are Seven, the former Severn Stars in the Homend, Ledbury, and Mainstone House at Trumpet, between Ledbury and Hereford
A FIFTH of firms in the country's manufacturing heartland expect shut-downs and lay-offs if the predicted severe winter sets in, it emerged. Research by Birmingham Chamber Of Commerce And Industry, which represents almost 4,000 companies with more than
SATURDAY WORCESTER & DISTRICT LEAGUE Premier Division: Hallow WMC v Lamb & Flag (P Harding); Martley Spurs v Welland Athletic (P Roberts); Powick v Tolladine Sports (M Stephens); Pershore Manor Rovers v Hanley Swan (C Husband). Division One: Bromsgrove
I LIKE thousands of other residents of the Cotswolds are appalled at Nick Brown's proposals to scatter wind turbines all over the Cotswold, not to save the World but for financial gain for his company Greenamps. At public meetings he has tried to persuade
WE the undersigned, members of Evesham and District Trade Justice Group, want to remind Journal readers that the campaign to Make Poverty History is still going on. At their July meeting in Edinburgh the rich countries made little progress. They still
FEARS that council tax will rise by 10 per cent have been downplayed by Worcestershire financial experts - provided the Government gets its sums right. Adrian Hardman, the county council's cabinet member for finance, said concerns of a £100 rise raised
A couple whose eyes met across the dance floor celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary today. Reg Robinson impressed his wife-to-be, Edna, with his moves at the popular Stew's Dance Academy in Silver Street near the city centre and they never looked
PEOPLE are being offered another chance to give their views on the future of public transport in Worcestershire tomorrow. The Local Transport Plan 2006 to 2011 sets out the county's transport strategy for the next five years, focusing on reducing congestion
PUB landlord Dean Barber lived up to his name when he cut off his wife's hair for charity. Forty-three-year-old Sue submitted to the clippers at the Fox And Goose in Westlands, Droitwich, to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief, while friends and customers
A DEVOTED fund-raiser has helped raise more than £143,000 for a cancer appeal. Dorothy Ludlow, from Eckington, near Pershore, and her team of dedicated helpers did not let the rain put them off during their latest charity sale for the Cobalt Appeal Fund
IT'S hats off to pupils at Grimley and Holt Primary School after the creative youngsters got their thinking caps on to come up with weird and wacky designs to wear on their head for the day - and raise money for a good cause at the same time. By donating
THIEVES who stole thousands of pounds worth of jewellery from a house in Lower Moor two weeks ago have robbed a four-year-old girl of her inheritance. Marilyn Williams, of Maytree Road, planned to leave the collection to her young granddaughter in her
Downgrading may not be over yet, warn MP and health watchdog DOWNGRADED Kidd-erminster Hospital could be facing a fresh round of cuts as county health chiefs scramble to find savings of more than £20 million. The chairman of a patients' watchdog group
A 75-year-old semi-retired Wyre Forest pig farmer temporarily left behind his rural lifestyle to mix with mega celebrities including John Travolta and Tom Cruise at a star-studded event. John Simmonds, of Callow Hill, Rock, and his wife, Pat, attended
POLICE have failed in a legal bid to secure an anti-social behaviour order against a Kidderminster man said to have flaunted himself in his back garden and cavorted around his bedroom clad only in a black thong. Malcolm Leonard Boorman, of Church Street
SHOPPERS and Shuttle/Times and News readers will be helping to light up the faces of hundreds of children across Wyre Forest this Christmas. The Christmas Tree Appeal, run by the newspaper, Kidderminster's Swan Shopping Centre and Home-Start, aims to
Remembrance Day - residents to observe two-minute silence PEOPLE in Wyre Forest will join together on Sunday to remember the men and women who lost their lives in conflict. Parades, church services and the laying of wreaths will take place across the
A KIDDERMINSTER group has launched the second phase of its appeal to restore the town's War Memorial. Members of the Kidderminster War Memorial Conservation Trust are aiming to raise £20,000 to refurbish the Wall of Remembrance outside St Mary's and All
PLANS to open a youth caf in Bewdley have been given a boost after the project was granted charity status. Town and Worcestershire county councillor Nigel Knowles, who is a member of the Bewdley Youth Caf executive committee said: "We are really pleased
THREE volunteers from Kidderminster have helped to create a charity's new lifestyle website. Sarah Baker, Sally Edwards and Ren Davies are members of Wyre Forest Self Advocacy, based at Burage Lodge, Franche Road, which helps people with learning disabilities
THE hedgehog has been named the nation's favourite garden creature in a survey by the Royal Horticultural Society and the Wildlife Trusts as part of their joint project Wild About Gardens. The survey of more than 2,000 respondents also placed the robin
SHOEBOX APPEAL: Mickleton Society members were addressed by Bob James on the work of the Samaritan's Purse. Their main work is providing shoeboxes to overseas orphanages; hence Bob's other name - Mr Shoebox. Bob is area co-ordinator for Gloucestershire
BADSEY SOCIETY: The latest venture from this vibrant local group is the opening of a Memory Bank. Here villagers will be able to deposit their memories, together with copies of old photos, documents, and other miscellaneous items which will be put in
WORCESTER Warriors have sign-ed former Leinster hooker Gavin Hickie. Twenty-five year old Hickie, who made appearances for Leinster in both the Heineken Cup and Celtic League, has signed at Sixways until the end of the season. Worcester's director of
TV and film favourites, Rosemary Leach and Francis Matthews will be on stage at Malvern Theatres next week in William Douglas Home's sparkling comedy, The Kingfisher. The Kingfisher, written by William Douglas Home, brother of the former Prime Minister
STOURPORT Boat Club have set their sights on qualifying for the Henley Regatta after the most successful year in their history. The club celebrated a record number of 150 wins, with 140 of them coming from the hugely-talented junior section. Stourport
TWO members of Stourport UK Kickboxing Club impressed at the Annual Grappling Championships at Worcester. In his first adult competition since turning 18, James Bingham, who fights at Under-65kg, had a bye in the first round and choked out his second
A WYRE Forest Rotary Club has appealed for donations to help provide vital supplies for families in emergency zones all over the world. Stourport Rotarians, who have been involved in the emergency box scheme for two years, are hoping to add to the 11
COCK & Magpie, last season's Team Knockout finalists, crashed out of the cup in the preliminary round with an emphatic 7-0 whitewash at the hands of Red Lion A in the Banks's Bewdley darts league. Russ Wilks and Tony Danks hit the winning darts to
STOURPORT estate agent, Leslie Banks, will be surveying his old school - in his new role as chairman of the governors. Now semi-retired, Mr Banks, who lives at Torton, has been appointed chairman of the board at the renamed New Elizabethan School in Hartlebury
Men's hockey STOURPORT men's firsts hope to close the gap on the National North Division elite on Sunday when they host Doncaster, buoyed by a 4-2 victory at Sheffield Hallam Civica. Fifth-placed Stourport are four points adrift of fourth-placed Doncaster
A GENEROUS donation by a mystery couple has boosted the fight against litter in villages near Stourport. The donors, who want to remain anonymous, have funded the purchase of a new cleansing van and a litter patrol officer for the next two years. The
DAVE Close continued his good form for Kidderminster Chess Club, being the only winner in the club's victory at Mercia in Division One of the Wolverhampton League. All other team members drew their games at Sedgley, so Kidderminster repeated last season's
THE Foresters team's move to the Wood Colliers did not affect the team as they inflicted the first defeat on Red Man to keep their 100 per cent record in the Bewdley Trivia League intact. Results: Redman 44, Wood Colliers 58; Black Boy Hotel 42, Cock
POCKETS Snooker Club's Summer League tournament was concluded on October 29, when the individual trophy went to Ian Barnes, of Howes That. Barnes beat Karl Goodall , of Breezers, 2-0 in the final. The team trophy, the Stuart Russell Memorial, went to
100 Years Ago November 11, 1905 Councillor W. A. Fisher is to be heartily congratulated upon having been unanimously chosen by his colleagues in the Town Council to be the chief magistrate of his native town. It is a great honour and is one to which all
EIGHT men appeared before Kidderminster magistrates on Thursday following a police operation in Stourport earlier in the week. They were charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine or the supply of heroin. A man and woman were in court the day before
Matt Djukic won the Wednesday Open at his home fishery, Moorlands, on the Moors Pool peg 12. Wednesday Open, 14 fished, Moors: Djukic (Moorlands) 30lb 2oz (12), John Cook (Angling 2000) 26-11 (5), Ralph Baxter (Gloucester) 26-6 (15). Thursday Cost-Cutter
A WOMAN had her throat grabbed by a man who snatched her bag during broad daylight in Kidderminster. The 21-year-old victim was walking along a path between Springfield Park and the bottom of Sion Hill when the incident happened at about 2pm on Monday
Wednesday Open, Heron: Keith Perrin 56-8 (47), Alan Wilson 50-7 (21), Mark Taylor 28-8 (13). Saturday Open, Abbey: Harry Taylor 17-14 (45), Dean Puplett (12) 15-12, Mark Taylor 9-13 (15). Sunday Open, Cuckoo: Dave Haney 54-10 (16), Dave Boden 46-0 (17
Sunday Open, Mill: Warren Jennings (Furnace Mill) 47-1 (78, corn and pellet), Kevin Williams (MCM Meats) 45-2 (87), Dan Bache (Storeys) 36-13 (84, corn and pellet 13m out). To fish the open book in on 01299 266777. For inquiries check out www.furnacemill.net
A LANDLORD who found 100 ecstasy tablets belonging to his drug dealer tenant has been given a conditional discharge by a judge at Worcester Crown Court. Craig Matthews, 31, found the class A drugs on a table in his kitchen and put them under Wayne Moreton's
Springfield Canal: Trevor Hyrons 2-5-8dr, Dennis Mole 2-2-12, JanLojko 1-15, John Skye 1-12-8. The next contest will be on Sunday on the River Severn at Larford. Anglers are asked to meet at Larford Lake at 7.30am. Guests will be allowed to take part.
A WOMAN'S handbag was stolen from her car as she popped into a shop in Bewdley. The victim parked her blue BMW convertible outside the Co-op in Load Street at about 5.30pm on Wednesday last week. She took her purse from the bag and went into the store
A contest will be held on Sunday at Willow Marsh Whispers Pool. Those taking part should meet at the venue at 7.30am.
BURGLARIES have been carried out in Stourport homes while residents were sleeping. Several houses in the Newtown area were broken into at night through back windows or doors, with three offences happening overnight between Saturday and Sunday. A bag containing
A WOMAN convicted by a jury of stealing DVDs from her neighbour's prized collection has been locked up. Lynsey Mackle was invited in for a cup of tea by Malcolm Trow - who then noticed his door keys missing and the thefts, Worcester Crown Court heard.
Seniors, Stackpool, silver fish only: C Price 15-15, M Jonen 14-3, G Birch 6-11. The juniors' presentation will be held in the Old Bear lounge on Saturday, starting at 7.30pm.
A contest will be held on Sunday on the River Severn pegs 65-79. The draw will be at the venue at 8am. Members are asked to note that an extra contest has been booked, for November 20 at the Hundred Pool, Great Witley.
Winter League, on the canal, The Hyde, Kinver: R Harris 5-12, P Skidmore 2-15, G Smith 2-12. Thorns AC, Salwarpe League, on River Salwarpe: D Aston 8-12, P Martin 7-10, A Bishop 6-6.
CONGRATULATIONS to the police who have just been praised for making our towns safer to live in. The Chief Constable claims to respond to the needs of communities - yet at every Bewdley Town Council meeting the subject of illegal parking is discussed and
PENSIONERS in Fladbury say they are being left out in the cold after parish councillors turned down their request for a bus shelter in the village. A group of residents, mainly from The Chantry, asked the parish council to put a shelter at the new bus
I AM amazed and horrified that there appears to be no legislation in place which bans the use of fireworks after a certain time at night. At 3am on Sunday, my wife and I were woken up by fireworks being let off in the near vicinity. This went on for approximately
CHADDESLEY Corbett have been drawn away to fellow West Midland Division Two outfit Wyrley in the JW Hunt Cup, hoping for a place in the quarter-finals. The final will be played at Molineux. Tom Hasall, Chris Griffin, Iain Milroy and Jon Baker will return
RAMBLERS have been warned to observe the Countryside Code after a walker allowed two horses to escape from a field by leaving a gate open. Minutes later one of them was in collision with a car and needed emergency treatment from a vet. The collision occurred
PEOPLE from around the Vale will remember those who died for their country in the two world wars and later conflicts this weekend. The Royal British Legion and local churches are organising services for residents to pay their respects to servicemen and
CLUBHOUSE Sports thrashed Libertys Sports in a Kidderminster derby in the Kidderminster and District Football League Saturday Division One fixture, 12-0. On a day when the fixture list was decimated due to the weather, Mostyn Rangers Reserves moved up
POLICE are anxious to trace a Derbyshire man who drove his car into the middle of Evesham - and then vanished into thin air. Officers in Derbyshire are becoming increasingly concerned for the safety of 50-year-old James Symcox, who arrived in Evesham
Witley Fisheries: G Yeomans (junior) 20-7, C Royce 14-6, P Walker 12-9. The next match will be the Fur and Feather at Furnace Mill on Sunday, November 20. Anglers should meet at 8am at Strawberry Pool. For more of the latest angling news visit www.midlandanglingnews.com
AN EARLY birthday present has left a little girl from Evesham heart broken after last weekend's fireworks damaged it. Ashleigh Houghton of Laurel Avenue, Evesham was devastated on Sunday morning when she went out into her back garden to play on her trampoline
WHEN is a caravan not a caravan? That is the question Wychavon district councillors will be pondering this afternoon when they meet to discuss planning policy. The council has lodged strong objections to a proposal by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
THE people of the Vale have been offered the chance to have their say on how the area will be policed. West Mercia Police Authority is examining options for the force's future and has asked the public for their suggestions. The authority, which polices
CHARLOTTE Silvester's consolation goal was all Ferndale under-10s had to show for their battling display during an 8-1 home defeat to Headless Cross in the League Cup. Mel Lawley grabbed a double and Racheal Scotford and Francesca Short were on target
KIDDERMNISTER Six-a-side League results: Masters FC 6, Running Horse 1; Ads Lads 1, Loom & Shuttle 5; Inter Redspeed 0, FC Irrelevant 3; Showboat 5, Allen Buildings 0; Artois Athletic 3, Jacksons 0; Viaduct 3, Ocean Designs 6; Golden Balls 7, Dreamers
KIDDERMINSTER Carolians return to Midlands Three West North action at Lichfield on Saturday - buoyed by a confidence-boosting 62-0 friendly win over Dudley Kingswinford seconds. KCs are still looking for their first league points after seven successive
STOURPORT and Chaddesley Corbett will resume their battle for North Midlands Division Two South supremacy this weekend. With both rivals gunning for promotion, Stourport play host to Birmingham Civil Service, while Chaddesley travel to Clee.
HARRIERS 1 Exeter 2 Kidderminster Harriers were left licking their wounds after being battered into submission for a second time this season by Exeter City, writes Mat Kendrick. Just as at St James's Park back in August, Kidderminster competed well only
FIVE Kidderminster Carolians youngsters hope to do the Marlpool Lane club proud when they represent two county sides. Alex Hopkirk, Scott Mundie and Josh Bennett have been called up for the Worcestershire under-14s, while Tom Leach and Mike Morris will
DARREN Perrin insists his Chippenham Town side will attack Worcester City to claim the "astronomical" money-spinning FA Cup tie against Huddersfield Town. Following last Saturday's first round deadlock, City boss Andy Preece guessed the Bluebirds would
ARCHDALES '73 must head to Littleton for a difficult all-Midland Combination Worcestershire FA Saturday Junior Cup round three clash. The draws have been made for all county competitions with the Saturday matches to be played on November 26. The Sunday
WORCESTER Women's Firsts continue to find life tough after a 5-1 beating at home to Horsham in English Hockey League National South. They now have an important but long trip to Southampton on Saturday where bottom-of-the-table Worcester will bid for their
TWO goals from Phil Lashford helped Stourport Men's Firsts to a 4-2 victory at Sheffield Hallam Civica. Now fifth in the table, Stourport's other scorers were Irfan Yousaf and Chris Griffiths as they hit back from going a goal down with three quick strikes
THE speaker at the monthly meeting was Brian Draper on the River Wye. His talk was illustrated by slides demonstrating the history of buildings and bridges, villages along the route, and wildlife. The main event was hosting the autumn group meeting for
PERSHORE stumbled but did not fall in a crucial Division Two 2-2 draw at Berkswell & Balsall Common. Either side could have won comfortably in a wildly changing game which saw Pershore take the lead. Garth Rushton released Pete Powell at the top of
THE meeting on October 19 was not so well attended as usual. R Mantle gave a talk, illustrated with photographs, on mushrooms and toadstools. On Wednesday, at Astley village hall, J Arbuthnott will talk about unusual wall shrubs and climbers. The doors
A HARVEST bring and share supper was held at the September meeting, followed by an auction of donated produce, conducted by Jackie Dainty. The craft group visited the Hop Pocket Craft Centre, Bromyard and the gardening group went to Barnett Hill Garden
THE next meeting will be held on Wednesday in the Railway Bell, Comberton Hill, Kidderminster at 8pm. Paul Hudson will give a talk entitled "steam in Cuba and more". All welcome.
ON Thursday, November 17, at Holy Innocents community hall, starting at 7.30pm, Mary Jones, of Shrewsbury, will talk about "Colour and Scent in the Winter Garden".
NEEDLEMAKING is the subject of Peter Betterton's talk on Wednesday at St Mary's Chantry, Kidderminster, starting at 7.30pm. Mr Betterton is from the National Needle Museum.
BROADWAY traders have clashed with the Lifford Hall trustees over the annual late night shopping event. For many years now traders have held a Christmas shopping evening. They pay for all the advertising, have funded the Christmas lights and also pay
IT'S that time of year again when our four-legged volunteer workforce make their way out onto the heaths of Kidderminster. I am, of course, talking about the cattle of the Wyre Forest Grazing Animal Project. This year, the breed of cattle has changed.
AT the ninth annual and 10th birthday meeting, county fund-raiser Julian Roberts said the Lickhill group was an example of how meetings should be conducted. She explained the "members communication system" to be set up by NFWI and named Joyce Betteridge
AT Kidderminster Library on Tuesday at 7.30pm, The Girl on the Bridge, will be shown. This 1999 film, directed by Patrice Leconte, tells of a suicidal girl who decides there may be a more interesting way to die than just jumping off a bridge, and she
THE Wyre Forest group has organised an autumn walk around Wilden Marsh on Sunday, to be led by volunteer reserve warden, Sean Micklewright. Anyone wishing to take part should meet at the gateway to the reserve on Wilden Lane (SO 823730) at 10am. It will
DOZENS of visitors brought some of their most treasured possessions to an Antiques Roadshow-style valuation day and boosted Operation Covert to the tune of £312. Around 100 people had their items assessed by a team of experts from Halls Fine Art at Kidderminster
THE group's Christmas meal will be held on Monday, December 12 at Seaborne Inn, Kempsey, 12.30pm for 1pm. Any member, with partner/carer or friend, wishing to attend, must book soon, as the room will only accommodate 38 people. The October speaker was
ON Thursday, November 17 at 10am in Lickhill community centre, Memorial Park, Stourport, Geoff Neal will give a talk about Romany gipsies. On December 1 at noon, a Chinese buffet lunch will be held at the Mai Mai Restaurant, Kidderminster. For the December
THE Billy Davis Band and the John Wood Big Band will be jointly hosting charity concerts at Evesham Arts Centre in aid of the Mayor of Evesham charities. The mayor, Councillor Frances Smith, said: "Billy and I have remained firm friends since our days
LITTLE Wolford Village Hall near Shipston has joined the Live & Local network and will be producing their first show on Thursday, November 10. Travelling By Tuba, which features an array of weird and wonderful musical instruments, begins at 7.30pm
Huntingdon Hall is gearing up to welcome one of the biggest musical legends ever to grace the city centre stage. Blues man Van Morrison has just confirmed he is to play two shows at the intimate 350-seater venue on Sunday, December 11 in an unusual departure
A WORKSHOP on print-making techniques is being held on Wednesday at Hartlebury village hall, under tutor Paul Hipkiss. Anyone who has not already booked, but would like to attend, is advised to telephone WI House to see if there are any vacancies.
THE new leader of the Country Land and Business Association, David Fursdon, has set out his objectives for the term of his two-year presidency. "I want to look forward to the next 100 years of land ownership and to raise awareness of the invaluable contribution
THE first new generation silver taxi has taken to the roads of Wyre Forest. and the new taxi. Bewdley Private Hire is running the London-style cab, which is wheelchair accessible, in line with new national requirements. Wyre Forest District Council has
NAIGHT CLUB: The Naight Club will be holding their Christmas bazaar on Wednesday, November 16 at the British Legion Hall, Lansdown Road, from 10am to noon. They will be selling the crafts they have manufactured during the past year and there will be a
THE neglected railings around the war memorial in Callow End, near Worcester, will soon be gleaming with new paint, thanks to two dedicated members of the Royal British Legion. Standard bearer John Mason and poppy organiser Ray Henley, of the RBL's Powick
A WOMAN inspired by her son's death to help others has been honoured for raising £500,000 for charity. Barbara Ludwig, of Athelstan Road, Battenhall, Worcester, has collected the money for Cancer Research UK since the death of her son Stuart from a brain
THE organisation providing a range of mental health services in Wyre Forest had a surplus of £243,000 for the past financial year. Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership has issued its annual report and accounts for 2004-05, highlighting projects carried
YOUNG vandals in Broadway have targeted an Indian restaurant in the latest attack on the village. A number of them threw bottles of beer at Sheikh's restaurant in the High Street at about 7.30pm last Saturday, breaking windows and shouting racial abuse
A PLUM orchard in the Vale of Evesham is a far cry from the horrors of the First World War. But it was there that Michael J Barnard heard about the Unknown Soldier from his father, Lance Corporal John Barnard, a battalion runner in the 2nd Worcs. He told
THREE performances featuring music and comedy will be held at the Rose Theatre in Kidderminster next week. Spirit of Music will be presented by Barrington Productions on Sunday and promises to take the audience on a musical journey. Classical folk, country
AN amateur theatrical group will be staging a popular pantomime to raise money for Kemp Hospice. The Summerfield Amateur Showstoppers will be performing in Mother Goose at the Chain Wire Club, Oldington. Current and former workers at rocket motor makers
SIR - I am in my third year at university doing BA Textile Design and am compiling a project about women role models and sport. As part of this project, I am researching bathing costumes and tennis wear from around the 1920s. I am hoping to find copies
A BIDFORD district councillor is conducting a housing survey in the village as part of a district-wide review. Daren Pemberton, who is shadow portfolio holder for housing on Stratford District Council, is looking into how the council operates its housing
MOTORISTS in the Vale and Cotswolds have been urged to take extra care on the roads this winter as weather forecasters predict colder than average conditions. The warning came after several serious accidents over the past week which have left six people
A MAN from Bidford has been awarded instructor of the year at the annual Warwickshire fire and rescue service. Geoff Pulham, from Bidford, was given the award at the annual fire and rescue ceremony held at the Benn Hall in Rugby. The 48-year-old instructor
MUSICIANS from the Birmingham Conservatoire will be performing in their fourth annual recital at Kidderminster Library on Friday, November 19. Pianist, John Humphreys and the Nero String Quartet will play at the concert, which has been organised by the
Ashbourne 2 Tenbury United 4 GIVEN the boost of an own goal inside the first five minutes, Tenbury still needed to ride their luck at times before coming out on top at Ashbourne in Division 1 of the West Midlands League. The win gives United a big lift
LIBRARY browsers are being invited to take a healthy interest in advice that will help them improve their wellbeing. Worcestershire's county council and NHS service have teamed up to promote Health Information Week in Kidderminster. Informative displays
PUNK legend Billy Idol - best known for hit 1980s songs White Wedding and Rebel Yell - is bringing his Devil's Playground world tour to Wolverhampton's Civic Hall on Tuesday. Earlier in the year Idol played a well-received show - his first UK concert
THOUSANDS more homes are to get kerbside recycling boxes in the latest phase to extend the scheme. Wyre Forest District Council has been delivering the boxes to 4,500 properties, with each getting two boxes and an information pack explaining what can
AN adventurous PE teacher from Kidderminster is celebrating after receiving her Gold Duke of Edinburgh award. Rachel Palfrey of Vine Street, who teaches at Hodge Hill School in Birmingham, attended a presentation at St James's Palace last Wednesday. The
GENEROUS Wyre Forest people have the chance to spread some much-needed Christmas cheer to poverty-stricken children around the world by taking part in the popular shoebox appeal. Operation Christmas Child, launched this week, aims to send thousands of
ANIMAL owners are invited to find out more about natural therapies in Wolverley on Saturday. A Natural Health Fair for Animals is being held at the Memorial Hall between 10am and 5pm. It has been organised by Ruth Whiley and Jenny Bull, who were inspired
EMERGENCY planning for Wyre Forest will now be co-ordinated by Worcestershire County Council. New joint agreement arrangements have been agreed by Wyre Forest District Council and its sister Worcestershire authorities with the county council. A single
PUPILS of a Kidderminster school have been busy designing patches sewn into a patchwork quilt to promote adoption. Worcestershire County Council's adoption service has linked up with Franche First School to raise awareness of the benefits provided by
